We are Orthodox Christian Greeks.
Because we are Orthodox Christians, we love our country, our people and all the peoples of the earth; this of course includes our African brothers and sisters.

Πέμπτη, 1 Μαρτίου 2018

“Are you Abba Agathon, a fornicator and a proud man?” : A story from the Egyptian Desert

The life of Saint Agathon of Egypt

(January 8 & March 2)

Saint Agathon brings on his back an angel transformed into an old man. Holy icon from Thessaloniki, Greece (from & herehere).

Saint Agathon of Egypt, a contemporary of Saint Macarius the Great
(January 19) and a disciple of Saint Lot (October 22), he lived in
asceticism in a skete in Egypt. He was distinguished by exceptional
meekness, accounting himself the most sinful of men.Once, monks
who had heard of his discernment came to Saint Agathon to see if they
could make him lose his temper. They asked him, “Are you Abba Agathon, a
fornicator and a proud man?” “Yes, that is true,” the monk replied.“Are you the Agathon who is always talking nonsense?” the monks inquired. “I am,” the saint agreed.“Are you Agathon the heretic?” the monks persisted.Saint Agathon said, “I am not a heretic.”They
asked the saint why he agreed with them when they accused him of vices,
but then denied this last charge. Agathon replied, “I accepted the
first accusations, since that was beneficial for my soul. But heresy is
separation from God, and I do not wish to be separated from God.”

Astonished at his discernment, they returned to their monastery, edified.When
asked which was more important for salvation, bodily asceticism or
interior vigilance, Saint Agathon said,

“Man is like a tree. Bodily
asceticism is the foliage, but interior vigilance is the fruit. Holy
Scripture says that “every tree which does not bring forth good fruit
shall be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Mt.3:10). Therefore, we
should focus our attention on the fruit. But a tree also needs the
protection of its foliage, which is bodily asceticism.”

Saint
Agathon died in about the year 435. For three days before his repose the
monk sat in silence and concentration, as though disturbed about
something. When the monks questioned him, he answered that he saw
himself before the Judgment Seat of God. “How is it possible that you,
Father, should fear judgment?” they asked him.“I have done my
best to keep the commandments of the Lord, but I am a man. How can I be
certain that my deeds have been pleasing to God?”“Do you not trust that all the good deeds which you have accomplished are pleasing to God?” asked the monks.“I have no such hope until I see God. His judgment is not man’s judgment.” Having said this, the saint departed to the Lord. Saint Agathon is commemorated on January 8 on the Greek calendar.

Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:

Δημοσίευση σχολίου

Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Mozambique

Orthodox icon, work of the Greek artist Dionysius Palma

HOLY FIRE - The Miracle of the Light of the Resurrection at the Tomb of Jesus

Seventy authors —fourteen French, nine Englishmen, seven Byzantine Greeks, six Germans, five Armenians, five Muslim Arabs, four Italians, four Persians, three Russians, three Icelanders, two Egyptians, two Chaldeans, one Syrian, one Moldavian, one Ethiopian, one Belgian, one Austrian and one Swiss— describe the greatest miracle of the Christian world: the Holy Fire (i.e., the Light of the Resurrection of Christ) which appears every Holy Saturday at the tomb of Jesus, a few hours before the celebration of his resurrection. Furthermore, the scientific measurements that were taken in the tomb of Jesus on Holy Saturday in 2008 by Associate Professor Antrey Volkov, confirm the descent of the Holy Fire and reveal three phenomena, which he himself characterizes as “incredible and entirely inexplicable.” (Click on the image)

About Orthodox Church... click on the icon

With the term “Orthodox Church” we mean what is usually referred to as the “Eastern Orthodox Church” and not any of the numerous other religious communities that are self-styled “orthodox”, such as “orthodox protestants” or “orthodox non-Chalcedonians” (Egyptian Copts, Ethiopians, Syrians, etc.), which in our opinion can be inadvertently confusing.

An African Guide for Orthodox Christians!...

African Orthodox Saints

Which Orthodox Saints are celebrating today?

Look at some of the Orthodox Christian saints who are celebrating today by clicking on the icon of All Saints Sunday.

A Bulletin of Orthodox Christian Faith from South Africa

"Evangelion" is a weekly Bulletin of Orthodox Christian faith that is made available to the Churches of the Archbishopric of Good Hope, South Africa. PDF files of past issues are available here (click on the image).